Title: Nightly Rendezvous
Theme: Set #1, Theme #48: Early Hours of the Evening
Genre: Romance/General
Pairings: Jakotsu x Bankotsu
Word Count: 454
Rating: PG
Summary: Sometimes you have to go out of your way to enjoy a simple moment.

Jakotsu lived for these moments, the evening chill driving the seven-man group to bed earlier than usual and giving him just the opportunity he needed. He'd lie in bed, eyes closed and breathing modulated- waiting for the familiar sounds of the others settling down in the yashiki and falling asleep. Sometimes, if he was feeling particularly cautious, he'd wait for an hour or more- just to make sure that everyone was indeed asleep.

But with winter edging its way down the mountain and into the nooks and crannies of the surrounding lands, Jakotsu grew braver in his nightly rendezvous.

Creeping down the hallway, he glanced out at the soft, powdery snow that blanketed the ground around the yashiki. If there wasn't such an important secret at stake, he would have gladly gone out and played in the cold just to have a ruse to get warmed up later. But he knew that this just wasn't his secret, but it was his companion's as well.

Sliding open the screen at the end of the corridor, his lips quirked up into a smile at the sight before him.

The group's young leader seemed sound asleep; his face, that villagers and daimyou rumored was blood-spattered with a killer's eyes, was as innocent looking as a simple young boy. Jakotsu loved him this way- the reckless youth that hid beneath the formidable leader.

"You better not have gone out in the snow before coming down here," A groggy voice murmured as the young man rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

Jakotsu laughed quietly, walking across the floor and crawling under the blanket with the other man.

"Mou, but that was fun. I think it's the best way in the world to get warm fast."

"Jakotsu..."

Leaning down, Jakotsu pecked a quick kiss on lips before cuddling closer against him.

"Neh, Bankotsu?"

"Hmm?"

"You think someday I'll be able to stay here all night and not sneak out in the morning?"

The young leader sighed, resting his head against Jakotsu's chest.

"I don't know," He paused a moment to yawn before continuing, "It's just..."

"...you're still getting used to it yourself," Jakotsu finished.

"Yah."

The room fell silent, the two bodies huddling closer as the winter air permeated the walls. Finally, after what seemed like hours- Bankotsu spoke once more.

"Thank you."

"Huh? For what?"

"For going out of your way to do this."

Jakotsu pressed a chaste kiss to Bankotsu's forehead.

"Like I'm going to spend my winter nights cold and alone when I've got an attractive, willing man to sleep with. I should be thanking you, silly."

And beneath the joking facade of those words, they both knew that there was no other place they'd rather be.